Korean War vets honor hero horse

Sgt. Joseph Latham, of the 5th Marine Division's recoilless rifle platoon, trained Reckless during the Korean War. He also fed her scrambled eggs. Coca-Cola and occasionally whiskey in addition to her diet of barley, sorghum, hay and rice straw. On cold nights, Latham let Reckless into his tent to sleep next to the stove. COURTESY OF DEPT. OF DEFENSE

Sgt. Joseph Latham, of the 5th Marine Division's recoilless rifle platoon, trained Reckless during the Korean War. He also fed her scrambled eggs. Coca-Cola and occasionally whiskey in addition to her diet of barley, sorghum, hay and rice straw. On cold nights, Latham let Reckless into his tent to sleep next to the stove. COURTESY OF DEPT. OF DEFENSE
Korean War veteran Harold Wadley, 79, of St. Maries, Idaho, fought in the Battle of Panmunjon, in Korea, with the war horse known as "Sgt. Reckless." Marines dedicated a statue of the horse Friday at their national museum as part of this week's 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. COURTESY: DEPT OF DEFENSE
After the Korean War, Marine horse Sgt. Reckless retired to Camp Pendleton where she gave birth to three colts: Dauntless, Fearless and Chesty. In 1959, she was promoted to staff sergeant in a ceremony included a 19-gun salute and a parade of 1,700 troops. In 1968, Reckless died and was buried near the Camp Pendleton stables. COURTESY OF DEPT. OF DEFENSE
The war horse Reckless got wounded twice in 1953 while making 51 trips up and down a steep hill during the Korean War. She carried more than 9,000 pounds of ammunition that day, covering some 35 miles. She was later made a Marine sergeant. On Friday, Marines dedicated a statue of Sgt. Reckless at their national museum in Virginia. RICK BURROUGHS
The 5th Marine Division's recoilless rifle platoon paid $250 for a small mare during the Korean War to carry ammunition for their recoilless rifles – also known as “reckless” rifles. They named her “Reckless" and later promoted her to sergeant after she got wounded during a battle at Panmunjon. Her statue now stands in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia. RICK BURROUGHS
The Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Antitank Co., 5th Marine Regiment, paid $250 for a Mongolian mare during the Korean War to help carrry ammunition for their recoilless rifles - also known as "reckless" rifles. They named the "Reckless" and the Marines promoted her to sergeant and eventually staff sergeant. RICK BURROUGHS
Men in the 5th Marine Division's recoilless rifle platoon taught their pack horse Reckless to run to the bunker when she heard incoming artillery; to hit the deck when she heard gunfire; and to carry 240 pounds of shells uphill, into battle, under fire. COURTESY OF DEPT. OF DEFENSE
The 5th Marines' recoilless rifle platoon bought a Korean mare for $250 during the Korean War. She carried ammo into battle and wounded Marines off the field. The platoon came to love Reckless so much that they let her eat their eggs, drink their beer and sleep in their tents. Reckless was promoted to sergeant during the war and staff sergeant after the war. COURTESY OF DEPT. OF DEFENSE
Artist Jocelyn Russell (left) designed and sculpted the bronze statue of Sgt. Reckless, the warhorse who fought in Korea. Reckless was best known for carrying recoilless rifle ammunition up a hill called Outpost Vegas at Panmunjon, Korea, and carrying the wounded back down. Here Russell overlooks her work with two helpers at the Art Castings of Coloradio foundry in Loveland, Colorado. COURTESY OF JOCELYN RUSSELL
Writer Robin Hutton, of Santa Rosa Valley, raised more than $100,000 to have this bronze statue of Korean War horse Sgt. Reckless made in Colorado. Here, an unknown worker inspects the monument before it gets shipped to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia. COURTESY OF JOCELYN RUSSELL
A war horse buried at Camp Pendleton was honored during this week's 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Marines dedicated this statue of Sgt. Reckless, a horse actually promoted to sergeant during the Korean War, on Friday at their national museum in Virginia. PHOTO BY RICK BURROUGHS

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